REVIEW

This book is extremely entertaining, even if you know little about horse racing. The book covers the history of horse racing in the Swansea/Neath area from roughly the beginning of the 19th century until the early part of the 20th century. This is interspersed with anecdotal evidence and historical gems about the activities on the periphery of the racing circuits.

In many ways, the side entertainments off the track were a real indication of the social history of the times, and in such entertainments as gambling, bare knuckle fighting, drinking and prostitution, we see the beginnings of some of the modern day entertainments at the trackside. We are also told that Manselton Racetrack was one of the first enclosed sports areas, charging for admission, (whereas previously there were stands where the well-off patrons could purchase a seat).

The peripheral activities at these racetracks also polarised the nonconformists and temperance movement against race organisers and pub landlords. A particular favourite quote in the book is by Edward Jones ‘Bardd Y Brenin’, who commented, ‘Wales which was formerly one of the merriest and happiest countries in the world, is now become one of the dullest’. He was referring to the efforts of the temperance movement to close drinking and gambling establishments at track events, and the compromises which ensued.

One interesting account covers the unusual game of ‘bando’, which on occasions appeared to develop into a near riot, between two teams of unspecified numbers.

Manselton was in its heyday in the late 19th century, but had peaks and troughs over time. Large crowds reportedly attended these events but, in the end, it was a financial failure, as it needed consistently high crowds to guarantee its future. Although wages had increased and there was an increased demand for entertainment, ultimately, Manselton could not survive.

At Clyne Valley, races took place up until 1930. Even though in recent times it had hosted events in front of up to 8,000, it too went the way of Manselton. Perhaps the saddest thing was when the local corporation purchased the land, it was used as a landfill and refuse site. Today the racetrack lies below 30 feet of rubbish.

The book is copiously illustrated throughout with prints and photographs from a bygone age, where Swansea and Neath once stood at the pinnacle of horse racing. There are many reasons for its demise in the area, the main one being financial, but for a brief period of time, there was no doubting that the cream of the horse racing fraternity found itself at one time or another at these venues.

Perhaps the photograph that I find the most poignant is the one of the last piece of the railings from the Manselton racetrack, which remains in view today. People in the area still know it as The Racetrack but, as the book says, not many would have realised the size of the enterprise in its heyday.

The book is written in an entertaining and knowledgeable way, and appeals to the specific historian and the general reader. Although I knew little of horse racing, I found this book to be very entertaining, particularly in its accounts of the sideline activities that persisted, which seemed to reflect the social history of the peoples of the area at the time. A very good read.

Ken Jones | GWales